Part 1 "In the Cafe"
The smell of fresh coffee and donuts hit me as soon as I entered the small coffee shop. It always amazed me with its simplicity and warmth, the old rustic brown walls and the wooden furniture welcomed every stranger and the yellow tinted bulbs lit up the place in just the right amount. The sun had settled in its den and the stars - well, even though they were lost in between the dazzling lights of the city - were still there somewhere.
"Hey doll! Hurry up!" Coming out of my moment of admiration I looked over to the highly active petite girl in black pants, red t-shirt and a black cap. She hurriedly waved her hands and signaled me to get going. I smiled lightly and made my way to the back of the Cafe.
I came out wearing my skinny black pants and a red t-shirt that hung loosely over my hips. As soon as I stepped near the cashier I was bombarded with orders.
"Small latte with extra cream"
"Medium expresso with two cream and one sugar"
"Can I have the chocolate chip cookies with green tea"
"How about you make it two teas please"
The customers rambled on; demanding, changing and yelling out their order. Nine o'clock was definitely one of the dreaded hours of the day. Surprised aren't you? Don't be. This was one of the busiest time of the day because people would come for pleasantries and good night snacks after having their supper. But soon the customers reduced and I was able to catch a breath from punching in orders and packaging the small items.
"Finally the elephant stampede is over," I giggled at my colleagues personification, "here, have a coffee. You must be tired." She handed me my favourite cup of French Vanilla.
"Thanks Roma. I don't know how I would survive working here without you."
"Not at all accepting your thank you. Remember one thing doll: I do this for myself not for you. When people around me are happy, I'm happy."
I smiled at her and she gave me a light hug before retrieving back to the cafe kitchen.
"Sir! I am so sorry! Wait, here I will take the coffee and you can clean up in the restroom."
I saw another one of my colleagues apologizing, she tried to cover a spill with many tissues. She caught my eye and asked me to remake the similar order. I reassured her and got to work.
This customer was the rare picky kind, he had an order that went weird and complicated like this, " Double ristretto venti nonfat organic chocolate browned frappuccino, extra hot with foam and whipped cream. Upside down double blended."
As I mashed and mixed I wondered how can people remember so much. For me coffee was coffee with just a few addition of milk, cream and sugar.
"Thanks a ton my sweet little munchkin! If you hadn't helped I was surely going to get beat up from Keerti madam today." The green eyed shuddered as she thought of our manager (who wasn't here today but she still kept an eye on everything even if absent).
"Shilpa. Calm down, and by the way why are you so scared of her. She's only human, she can't do much to you."
" You must be mental to think that. She's a witch in disguise! Like that blood sucking vampire from that Twilight movie. She's anything but human." I shook my head at her insane imagination and made my way to the man whose frappuccino had spilled. Quickly without looking I held out my hand to give him the order.
He took a while to take the cup but then he gently grabbed onto the cup, slightly grazing his extremely warm fingers on the back of my freezing hand. I retorted without even looking and started talking with Shilpa and Roma.
Ching! Chin!
I heard the chimes on the door go off after 10 mins and I finally looked up to see if a new customer had arrived. But, all I saw was the stranger with the frappuccino walking out with his back to the glass door. The breeze hit him as soon as he went out and his white shirt ruffled slightly. He rolled up the sleeves of the formal shirt and ran his hand through his hair before placing them back in his black pants and walking about to his car.
"Doll!" I jumped as Roma yelled in my ears. "Time to close, come on. Chop chop."
"Shippu!My juliet!"
"Yes Romu!My one and only Romeo!"
"Want to ditch that Armaan of yours and go out with me?"
"Aw. My poor majnu but its okay. I can ditch him once in a while"
I laughed at the duo's playfulness and turned to shut off the lights,"Goodnight Mumbai"
I know this one was a short update but that was because I had no clue as to how you all would react and even if you would like to read or not. So, please please please comment, like and suggest.
Edited by -3raser- - 12 years ago
Cricket
Anupamaa
